Things may be getting back to normal for many in the Tampa Bay area but some organizations are urgently calling on more volunteers to step up. Many showed up at Feeding Tampa Bay Thursday.
What are the odds that we would find a woman named Katrina Harvey spending her time helping victims of Hurricane Irma?
"That is a coincidence, but it’s true. And it’s me,” said Harvey, laughing at the unfortunate name combo.
To be fair she had the names of two powerful hurricanes to impact the U.S. first.
"Paying it forward is what it’s about you’ve got to help your neighbor, you’ve got to help your neighbor,” Harvey said.
Right now, there are not enough Katrina Harveys in the Bay area.
"They just think everything is okay. And the need is there all the time, but especially after storm,” said Sandy Boland, who knows it could take months or even years for many folks in our southern counties to recover.
People living in Highlands, Hardee and Manatee Counties are still in need of food, water and shelter even if the power is back on neighborhoods. For many, their finances may be tapped out following Irma.
That is why Feeding Tampa Bay are working hard. But the charity is calling on more people to join in.
"When you come to this warehouse you’re likely to work up a sweat,” said Jayci Peters, with Feeding Tampa Bay.
No matter your skill level the organization has got a task for you and the pay off is huge.
On Thursday morning, fifty volunteers showed up to offer help. In three hours they created more than 11,000 meals.
“It feels good to do something,” said Boland, describing the feeling she gets when she leaves a volunteer site as, “…satisfaction. It’s really feeling like I’ve done something productive and that’s helping the world a little bit."
There are shifts throughout the weekend and signup is super easy. Head to Feeding Tampa Bay'swebsite to get your name on the list.
Hillsborough County sent this release Thursday:
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Sept. 29, 2017) – Hillsborough County will hold a day-long event on Friday, Sept. 29, to feed and assist residents affected by Hurricane Irma in the Lithia-Pinecrest area. Some neighborhoods suffered severe flooding after the Alafia River reached near-record levels.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the FishHawk Sports Complex, 16120 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia. A hot lunch will be served at noon. Several County departments, including Affordable Housing, Homeless Services, Social Services, and Code Enforcement will be on hand to distribute information and assist residents with their specific needs.
WHAT: Hurricane Irma Relief Event
WHERE: FishHawk Sports Complex, 16120 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; hot lunch for residents will be served at about Noon
Other organizations need help too:
- Florida Baptist Disaster Relief
1060 W. Busch Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612
Contact person: Mike Kahn - Habitat for Humanity of Tampa Florida
3736 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33610-4540 - Lutheran Disaster Services Florida
3627 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33614
Phone: (813) 875-1408
